A 2004 study
conducted by Pace University concluded that white tea fights bacteria, viruses
and fungi.

White tea retards the growth of bacteria such as Streptococcus, which has
been known to cause infections such as sore throat (pharyngitis), scarlet fever,
and pneumonia, as well as dental caries.

White tea also fights fungi such as Penicillium chrysogenum and Saccharomyces
cerevisiae, and so may be helpful to people suffering from yeast infections.

The scientists added white tea extract to several toothpastes, then placed
the paste on germs in a lab.

Previous studies have found that green tea boosts the immune system. This study
suggested that white tea is even more powerful than green tea.

"People should drink white tea," said Milton Schiffenbauer, who conducted
this study.

"Our research shows white tea extract can actually destroy in vitro the
organisms that cause disease. Study after study proves that it has many healing
properties."

White Tea Health Benefits #4:
Keep skin
young

A 2003 study
suggested that white tea may slow down aging skin conditions such as wrinkles
and pigmentations. This study was conducted jointly by University Hospitals of Cleveland and
Case Western Reserve University.

The scientists applied white tea cream on the subject's buttock, then exposed
it to artificial light.

They found that tea-treated skin continued to function properly afterwards
with limited DNA damage, but untreated skin was damaged by light.

The scientists believed white tea works because of its powerful antioxidant.
The study suggests that white tea cream may have anti-aging effects on skin.

"Similar to the way oxidation causes a car to rust, oxidative stress of the
skin causes a breakdown in cellular strength and function," said Dr Elma Baron,
director of Skin Study Center.

"The white tea extract protects against this stress."

"We know that younger skin tends to be able to resist the oxidative stress
associated with exposure to the destructive rays of sunlight," said Kevin
Cooper, chairman of the Department of Dermatology.

"The white tea extract also appears to build the skin's resistance against
stresses that cause the skin to age."